第１３２５堀：適材 (Part1)
Chapter 1325: The Right Person for the Job
Side: Hairen
Today is the day I head to the hospital.
While the church also provides medical treatment, the knowledge brought to Weed has led to more efficient applications of recovery magic. Consequently, many people from the Ritea Church have recently been studying medicine at Weed to deepen their expertise as healers.
In fact, under Alstaire’s policy, this has become a national initiative for the Ritea Holy Kingdom.
As part of that, I regularly visit the hospital where Rurua is stationed to continue my studies.
"I’m just not cut out for book learning, you know?"
Between prescribing medicine, determining proper dosages, and memorizing the medicinal properties of countless herbs, there is simply too much to remember. There are endless varieties of illnesses, and learning how to identify them through the reactions during palpation—well, that’s just the application; the fundamentals alone are a mountain of information...
I can truly understand why, in Japan, becoming a doctor is reserved for the elite or those with an exceptional capacity for study.
You have to cram such a vast amount of knowledge into your head.
That said, I have practiced recovery magic to help others, and I’ve heard from Sota that there are other ways to save lives, so I’m already somewhat familiar with the concepts. Because of that, this kind of study hasn't been a burden.
Though, Enol...
"I honestly can't believe you're actually attending these classes seriously."
She says such rude things.
I am a distinguished recovery mage, and I am diligent, so that’s quite uncalled for, isn't it?
As I was walking along, lost in these thoughts, I bumped into Show right in front of the hospital.
"Oh, if it isn't Hairen. Was today a study day?"
"Yeah. Show, wait... weren't you supposed to be escorting the exchange students for the test?"
Show is from Zurable... um, what was his title again? Regardless, he’s a very important person. Ever since Rurua healed his burns, he’s been studying medicine just like me. Since we used to see each other often regarding matters involving the gods, we’ve frequently studied together, but lately, he should have been busy escorting the exchange student program tests.
That’s why it was strange to see him here.
"Ahaha. I’ve left that to the escorts who joined us recently."
"Joined? There are others?"
"Indeed there are. The exchange student system is a vital endeavor, after all. It is only natural to have reserves and substitutes ready in case a lead teacher needs to leave for an urgent matter. Besides, His Majesty originally instructed me to prioritize my medical studies, so I am taking this time to balance my education with my practical duties."
"So, we haven't seen each other lately just by chance?"
"That would be the case. It is good to see you looking well, Hairen."
"Yeah. You shouldn't overwork yourself like Yuki and the others, you know? When it comes to important people, it’s always the diligent ones who end up collapsing."
It’s true. It’s always the serious, important people who fall ill.
It’s that thing where they don’t know when to take a break.
Show, having been cautioned, offered a wry smile.
"Ahaha. That is a painful point to hear. However, even if I am told not to overwork, the workload simply does not decrease."
"Well, I’ve heard from Sota and Enol that it’s not something that can be solved easily. But there are many citizens who would be troubled if you collapsed, and your friends would be sad, too. Don't forget that."
I know Yuki takes breaks in moderation.
In fact, I’ve tagged along for plenty of his leisure time.
But Show doesn't seem to know much about that side of things. From what I’ve seen, he only ever seems to play when invited by Yuki, which is why I said it.
Upon hearing this, Show looked surprised, then quickly shifted to a troubled expression.
"Hmm, those are the very words I often say to His Majesty and Yuki-sama, yet to have them returned to me... Do I look that exhausted?"
As Show asked this, I was just about to nod when—
"You do. Well, you don't look like you're at your breaking point, but I wouldn't say you have much breathing room, either. Have you ever taken a break on your own initiative?"
The one who appeared and said this was Senal.
She is the goddess who once fought against the Zurable Empire and now helps out with work here at the hospital and the church.
Oh, and she’s also a fellow medical student.
"What, Senal is here too?"
"What’s with that tone? So, Show, how about it?"
Ignoring my comment, Senal pressed Show for an answer. Show looked thoughtful for a moment.
"...Certainly, I haven't taken a break on my own initiative lately. No, wait, there were a few times a while back where I realized I had slept for an entire day."
"That’s not a break, that’s just passing out from exhaustion."
"That’s the 'realizing you're dead' pattern."
"Ngh. Please, wait a moment. Y-yes, that’s right. I participated in the gunfight event hosted by Yuki-sama, and I went out to eat yakiniku as well."
"That’s not by yourself. You were with Yupia and the others, right?"
"And that wasn't exactly voluntary, was it? You didn't take a day off just to eat yakiniku, did you? That was just your lunch break or dinner, wasn't it?"
"Nghhh..."
It became clear through this conversation that Show is the type of person who simply cannot take a break.
Just as I was thinking that, someone else approached.
"What are the three of you doing in a place like this?"
It was Rurua, swaying her ample bosom as she walked.
"Er, just chatting after running into each other."
"Yeah. We haven't seen each other much lately."
"Yes. We were just having a bit of small talk. I’ll be in your care today."
"Oh, come to think of it, has it been a while since the three of you were all together?"
"Yeah. So we were just catching up."
When I said that, she seemed satisfied.
However, Rurua didn't leave; instead, she fixed her gaze on me.
"So, Hairen-san, is your conversation finished?"
"Eh? If you mean is it over, I suppose so?"
We were in the middle of talking about whether Show gets any rest, but it wasn't exactly a topic that needed to be continued.
"In that case, I’d like to ask you to cooperate with something today instead of your usual book learning. Would that be alright?"
"Cooperate? Sure, I don't mind."
As soon as I replied, Rurua took my hand and started walking.
I was stunned by her uncharacteristically proactive behavior, but Show and Senal seemed to sense something strange about Rurua’s unusual actions...